Two pistols once intended by Napoleon Bonaparte for his own suicide were sold for 1.69 million euros ($1.8 million) at an auction in Fontainebleau, south of Paris, on Sunday. The sale price exceeded initial estimates of 1.2–1.5 million euros, according to the auction house. However, the buyer’s identity remains undisclosed.
National treasures designation
Ahead of the auction, the French Culture Ministry‘s National Treasures Commission classified the pistols as national treasures, effectively banning their export. This decision, published in the government’s official journal on Saturday, allows the French government a 30-month window to make a purchase offer to the new owner, who retains the right to refuse. Cultural properties deemed national treasures can only leave France temporarily and must be returned. “Being classified as a national treasure gives an incredible value to the object,” said a representative of the Osenat auction house, who wished to remain anonymous.
Richly decorated artefacts
The pistols, adorned with gold and silver, feature an engraved image of Napoleon in full imperial regalia. These weapons were reportedly almost used by the French ruler to end his life in 1814 after his army’s defeat and the occupation of Paris by foreign forces. “After the defeat of the French campaign, he was totally depressed and wanted to commit suicide with these weapons, but his grand squire removed the powder,” auction house expert Jean-Pierre Osenat told AFP ahead of the sale. Instead, Napoleon took poison but survived after vomiting. He later gave the pistols to his squire in gratitude for his loyalty, Osenat added.
High demand for Napoleonic memorabilia
Napoleon memorabilia remains highly sought after among collectors. In November, one of his famous “bicorne” black-cocked hats with blue, white, and red trimmings sold for 1.9 million euros.
Napoleon’s final years
Following his abdication, Napoleon went into exile on the island of Elba off the coast of Italy. He made a dramatic return to France but was ultimately defeated by the British at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Napoleon spent his final years in exile on the island of St. Helena, where he died six years later. This sale underscores the enduring fascination with Napoleon’s legacy and the immense value placed on artefacts linked to his storied life.
